Denver Sprinkler Blowout: It’s Not Too Late!

After a beautiful summer, no one wants to hear about winter coming. This, of course, is with the exception of skiers and snowboarders. When winter comes, and the freezing temperatures set in, homeowners straight away turn on their heating systems so that they can be comfortable with their families. Few of them remember that the sprinkler lying somewhere in the store or yard needs protection as well.

Luckily, Colorado Sprinkler Service doesn’t forget that you must blow out your sprinklers in Denver. Even if you are a DIY expert, you will require, at some time, a professional to help you in your Denver sprinkler blowout.

How the experts complete the process is quite impressive. They use trailer-mounted compressed air systems with regulators that ensure enough air pressure is delivered to blow out your system. Each zone is manually run with compressed air up until all the water has been removed. The main shutoff valves are then inspected for any visible leaks.

It is Better Late Than Never

Water has quite a peculiar characteristic, unlike other materials. When it freezes, other materials contract, but water expands instead. This is a danger to your irrigation system because the expanding water will force the piping and fittings to break or crack. Bearing in mind that most sprinkler pipes and valves in Denver are made of PVC or copper, they can easily be destroyed by the freezing water. However, thanks to winterization, all the water in your system can be blown out even in the low spots.

Timing for Sprinkler System Blowout

Many homeowners in Denver keep on wondering when exactly should they start blowing out their sprinkler systems. Such queries are justifiable because the wrong timing can see you struggling to blow out your sprinkler deep into winter. Though climate changes, the historical freeze trends in Denver start around October. Usually, the first freeze will not destroy your pipes, but it should alert you that you need a sprinkler blowout service.

Installation of sprinkler systems involves burying some components below the ground. The advantage of this is that such parts are never affected by the first freeze, and hence you can easily blow out your sprinkler even after the initial freezes have begun.

Handling the Drain in the Basement

Your sprinkler system valve comes complete with a drain for winterization. The drain is usually designed like a nipple with a screw cap. It is recommended that you leave the drain cap open all throughout winter. This process is vital because your shutoff valve may have a small leak and if the drain is closed, your sprinkler system runs the risk of filling up, thereby causing freezing.

The Irrigation Timer

Ensure you leave the sprinkler timer plugged into the wall with the battery inside throughout winter. The advantage with this is that you don’t have to reprogram it come summer. Whenever your system is blown out, each valve is opened to drain the water so that you don’t have to operate the valves again and drain them. All you need to do is turn the timer to ‘off’ or ‘rain’ so that the valves don’t operate during winter.

Sprinkler system winterization professionals use industrial compressors fitted with a regulator to help blow out your system.